The Churches of Egypt

A stunning visual tour of Egypt’s churchesWith over 300 full-color photographs, this is the first fully illustrated book devoted to Christian houses of worship in Egypt. The text incorporates the latest research to complement the broad geographic scope covering nearly all significant Coptic sites throughout the country, from the ancient Coptic churches in Old Cairo to the churches in the monasteries of Wadi al-Natrun, the Red Sea, and Upper Egypt. Churches associated with the Holy Family’s sojourn in Egypt, including Gabal al-Tayr and Dayr al-Muharraq, enrich the volume.
Churches of all other Christian denominations in Egypt are also described and beautifully illustrated here. A number of Greek Orthodox churches, Evangelical Coptic, Catholic, Armenian, and Anglican churches are included. Introductory chapters on the history of Christianity in Egypt, the architecture of the Coptic Church, and Coptic wall paintings help readers to appreciate fully the great cultural, artistic, and architectural heritage of Egypt’s Christians.

Gawdat Gabra is the former director of the Coptic Museum and the author, coauthor, or editor of numerous books on the history and culture of Egyptian Christianity, including The Treasures of Coptic Art (AUC Press, 2006) and The History and Religious Heritage of Old Cairo (AUC Press, 2011). He is currently visiting professor of Coptic studies at Claremont Graduate University, California.
Gertrud J.M. van Loon specializes in Coptic art and archaeology. She holds a PhD from Leiden University, where she is currently working as a researcher.
Carolyn Ludwig, editor, publisher, and lecturer, is the author of Jewels in Our Crown: Churches of Los Angeles (2003). She lives in Los Angeles and is a frequent visitor to Egypt.
Sherif Sonbol is a highly regarded Egyptian photographer. He has contributed photographs to numerous illustrated books, including Egyptian Palaces and Villas, 1808–1960 (AUC Press, 2006).